Since its inception, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) has admired and promoted the ideals of chivalry. This rigorous code of conduct and way of life provides a much-needed model in a world without honor and virtue. Medieval knighthood still captures the American imagination. Youth are especially attracted to this ideal.
In 2009, the American TFP published An American Knight: The Life of Colonel John W. Ripley by TFP author Norman J. Fulkerson. His biography of this Marine legend kept his story alive. It helped build momentum for the June 18 event, when President Donald J. Trump posthumously awarded the nation’s highest military honor, the Congressional Medal of Honor, to Colonel Ripley.
It is fitting to tell his story using the president’s words on that august occasion.
“Next, we honor another legend of the United States Marines who is sadly no longer with us, Colonel John W. Ripley.
“In the spring of 1972, the North Vietnamese prepared their Easter offensive, the largest ground invasion since the Korean War. It was a big, big invasion. Over 30,000 North Vietnamese soldiers and 200 tanks, lots of other equipment, high-level, began to penetrate deep into South Vietnam and collapse the embattled republic. The only thing standing in their way was a bridge across the Chu Viet River and the extraordinary courage of then-Captain John Ripley. Everybody knew he had that.
“As North Vietnamese forces surged to the North River Bank, it became clear that the assault could only be stopped by destroying the bridge. Vietnamese Army engineers had stockpiled over 500 pounds of explosives that needed to be personally placed under the bridge. As the only soldier with sufficient demolition experience, John reached for the first load of explosives.
“Everyone said, “Don’t do it, John. Don’t do it.” He grabbed the steel girders above his head and, hand over hand, he climbed, dangling beneath the bridge and over the rushing water, with a lot of very angry people watching him. Completely exposed to withering enemy gunfire, John completed not one, not two, but five such trips. He was a strong guy, a very strong guy.
“At one point, John remembers a tank round blasting into the bridge and knocking him temporarily unconscious. For five straight hours, he hauled explosives, placed charges, and ran a primer cord to each one of them. He later recalled reciting a simple prayer, “Jesus, Mary, get me there, just get me there.
“When John detonated the explosives, the bridge collapsed into the river, crushing the advance and saved the hope of a free Vietnam for Easter morning.
“For his heroic deeds, John Ripley was given the Navy Cross, and today we posthumously award him the highest of all awards, the Congressional Medal of Honor. And we’re grateful to be joined by his sons, Tom, John, and Steve, grandson Stephen Lewis and Francis, and his beautiful daughter-in-law, Alexandra.
“And so I want to thank you all for being here, and congratulations. You have extremely good genetics. Thank you. Thank you very much. Congratulations.”
John W. Ripley’s Medal of Honor was upgraded from the Navy Cross awarded to him by President Nixon shortly after his gallant actions. The original citation repeats the story related by President Trump.
With great pleasure, the American TFP once again commends a true American knight as a model for today’s youth. It especially calls attention to the great faith in Jesus and Mary, who came to his aid in his hour of need.